Only those within the fraternity realise that the Catalonia region of Spain have been playing english style pool for the last 25 years.

In that time they have seen the sport develop through different rule sets to be where it is today - Blackball. This meant that the Catalonian’s found it difficult to participate in International tournaments.

This changed when a Catalonian team were invited to compete in the BAPTO finals in 1992. At the time one of the largest pool events in the UK. Against many people’s expectations the 3-person Catalonian team finished the tournament as runner’s-up. When they returned in 1995 they went back to Spain as champions.

Sadly International tournament involvement and player numbers dwindled from 2001-2005 as the govening body decided it was not worthwhile sending Catalan players abroad to compete.

A new body was formed, ABACAT, which spoke on behalf of all Blackball players in Catalonia. It also meant a return to International competition and in the 2006 World Championships the team reached the semi-finals at Willengen in Germany. Once again showing true pedigree at this cue sport discipline.

The next World Blackball Championships was held in Swaziland in 2008 and this was the year that defined the Catalonian team. They walked away with the main team title and became World Champions.

So what next?

The Jersey Pool Festival has not run for the last two years so there was a gap in the calendar that could be filled with another prestigious festival. So after the visit of Ross McInnes and Pat O’Kane the Catalonia Pool Festival was born and will take place for the first time this March between the 20th-26th.

Not only will this event have a lot of prize money and a large number of events but it will also act as a great holiday for pool players and their families.

The accommodation and tournament venue is 3 miles from the city of Tarragona in the fantastic Ciutat de Repos. A beautiful sandy beach is not far away that will add great relaxation away from the competition. The package price for the whole event is only €299 per person so it is also a great way to go on holiday and play some pool with the chance of walking away with some cash.

Many players will be travelling out from the UK to compete so it will almost become a home-from-home for the week.

It is good to see another nation embracing the game of Blackball as it slowly becomes the most dominant and respected small-ball pool game world wide. This event could be held on an annual basis but of course will need support.

It is time for players to back organisers and get behind events like this so that the events themselves can grow and prosper. It is not all about the organisers though, without this style event Blackball as a game will never go beyond it’s current state. Encouragement and support is needed and all parties need to pull together to make a success of what is offered.

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For more information on Blackball in Catalonia and the festival visit: Catalonia Pool Festival.